GET ME REWRITE: 24 years later, the way to San Jose's downtown revival remains elusive

 

That was then:  New York Times, 9/5/1999

This is now:  San Jose Spotlight, 10/6/2021

Downtown San Jose looks like a ghost town. Boosters claim an economic revival is within reach for the heart of Silicon Valley. But those who live and work in the city’s core are skeptical. 

John Seol, owner of a small cellphone repair shop just blocks from City Hall, told San José Spotlight he hears about festivals and thriving foot traffic in neighboring cities such as Campbell, and doesn’t see that energy in downtown San Jose. Instead, he sees pervasive homelessness and friends going out of business due to declining foot traffic. He’s been downtown for five years, but is reaching the end of his rope. Just this year, his shop flooded twice—a problem he blames on a broken city pipeline. 

“If I was going to hang out somewhere, I wouldn't want to hang out downtown,” Seol said.

Related posts:

24 years later, Laguna Woods California still has no shortage of elders.  (2/16/2023)

24 years later, ski season traffic jams are still a headache in Colorado.  (2/16/2023)

24 years later, Vail Colorado still determined to keep out the riffraff.  (2/15/2023)